Segun Atanda/
Three young men who took N5.6million ransom and killed the courier before releasing five kidnapped expatriates working for billionaire Industrialist, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, have been arrested by the police.
Police spokesman, DCP Don Awunah, named the suspects as 24-year-old Abubakar Gide, Abdullahi Salihu 22, and Babuga Adamu 25.
They were arrested by the Inspector General of Police’s Intelligence Response Team (IRT), led by CSP Abba Kyari, in Ijebu Igbo, Ogun State, Epe in Lagos State, and Ajase Ipo in Kwara State.
“The suspects confessed to kidnapping and releasing all five initial victims after receiving the ransom of N5.6million. They also confessed to kidnapping and murdering the ransom transporter, Mr. Istifanus Gurama, also of Dangote Group,” Awunah revealed in a statement sent to Newsmakers early today.
The statement reads in part: “The IGP’s Intelligence Response Team (IRT) recorded another breakthrough with the arrest of three of the kidnappers that murdered one and kidnapped five expatriate members of staff of Dangote Group. The IRT, armed with credible intelligence, between November 27, 2016 and December 3, 2016 arrested three of the kidnappers: Abubakar Gide 24, Abdullahi Salihu 22, and Babuga Adamu 25 in Ijebu Igbo – Ogun State, Epe Forest – Lagos State and Ajase Ipo Forest – Kwara State respectively.
“…The suspects have since led the police to their hideout in Ijebu Igbo Ogun Forest where the following arms and ammunition they used in the operation were recovered: three AK47 rifles, six AK47 magazines and 160 rounds of ammunition. The suspects further led IRT operatives to Apoje River where the body of Mr. Bello Gurama was recovered. Efforts are in progress to arrest other gang members who are currently at large in other states.”
Awunah, however, warned families of kidnapped victims to exercise considerable restraint in negotiating and paying ransom.
“It is absolutely important the negotiators of ransom should have confidence in the police,” he said.
Despite the recent accomplishments by the police with the coordinated clampdown on crime and criminality throughout the country, Awunah said that IGP Ibrahim Idris admonished police officers not to get carried away by recent successes but instead redouble their efforts in the fight against crime.
“He has assured Nigerians that the police will remain undaunted in the collective fight against crime. As members of the public begin the yuletide celebrations, the police will ensure the celebrations are crime free,” he said.
this breaks my heart. young guys in the business of wasting innocent lives
This is soo sad.
Could these idiots be the real culprits or having some sorts of godfathers somewhere in the background? Desperate hunt for wealth at all cost by hungry and greedy youths of today due to years of bad governance and lack of proper youth empowerment is yielding such a devastating results today. I pray this ends as soon as possible.